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ALFERON N InjectionŽ
Interferon alfa-n3 (human leukocyte derived)
THE FIRST NATURAL-SOURCE,
MULTISPECIES ALPHA INTERFERON
For the treatment of condylomata acuminata



Interferons (IFNs) have comprehensive and multifaceted antiviral actions. Although IFNs inhibit many steps of viral replication, "the major antiviral actions appear to affect the translation of the viral genome into virus specified proteins."

IFN antiviral actions inhibit viral messenger RNA (mRNA) synthesis, viral assembly, viral packaging, and release of virions by:

  • reducing the translation of viral proteins by interfering with the normal host cell translation mechanism
  • enzymatically degrading viral RNA, thus diminishing its usability as a template for assembly of viral proteins
  • inhibiting viral transcription
  • modifying glycosylation patterns of viral proteins which could influence virus packaging, release, or virulence
  • altering the cell membrane (eg, increasing cell fluidity) which may influence virion maturation and release

 

"Interferon has profound immunomodulatory actions, some of which... would be expected to affect virus multiplication and spread." The immunostimulatory actions of IFN involve the enhancement of various components of the immune response and activation of cytotoxic cells via the direct action of IFN on a number of IFN-responsive cells in the immune system.

By binding to specific IFN receptors on the membranes of these cells, IFN induces a number of intracellular events which ultimately result in:

  • enhancing the expression of cell surface antigens, resulting in increased recognition and killing of infected cells by cytotoxic leukocytes
  • enhancing induction of antibodies to improve cell lysis mediated by complement and by antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxic leukocytes
  • activating macrophages, regulating natural killer(NK) cells, cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, and complement for enhanced cytotoxicity of target cells
  • triggering the secondary release of other potent cytokines, such as the interleukins, which themselves have profound immunostimulatory effects throughout the immune system

 

IFNs exert powerful effects on target cell growth by:

  • slowing target cell growth by increasing the length of their multiplication cycle
  • depleting essential metabolites
  • increasing cell lysis through cytotoxic mechanism
  • inhibiting the expression of certain oncogenes

 
Information contained on the Hemispherx website other than historical information, should be considered forward-looking and is subject to various risk factors and uncertainties. For instance, the strategies and operations of Hemispherx involve risks of competition, changing market conditions, changes in laws and regulations affecting these industries and numerous other factors discussed on the Hemispherx website and in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements. Additionally, all the referenced investigational drugs and associated technologies of the company are experimental in nature and as such are not designated safe and effective by a regulatory authority for general use and are legally available only through clinical trials with the referenced disorders. The forward-looking statements represent the Company's judgement as of the date of this website. The Company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.